From Don D'Ammassa Horror Reviews
http://dondammassa.com/r3.htm#Many_Bloody_Returns_
Many Bloody Returns edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner,
Ace, 9/07, $24.95, ISBN 978-0-441-01522-1
Theme anthologies continue to get more and more specific. This one is
a collection of vampire stories, but they all take place at birthday
celebrations. What’s next? Left handed vampires with dolphin tattoos
who knit for a hobby? Anyway, I only read a story or two a day to
avoid overload, and on balance it's a pretty good collection if you're
not already terminally overdosed on the undead. And while I'm
including this under Horror fiction, most of the stories are anything
but, ranging from mystery to humor to puzzle story to mild romance. The
opening story by Charlaine Harris features her recurring character,
Sookie Stackhouse, the waitress who gets involved with good and evil
vampires in each of her novels. This time she meets and unmasks a
Dracula impostor in a brief, well written but pretty minor story. It
does have one good line. “If experience has taught me anything, it’s
to dispose instantly of bloodstained clothing.” Christopher Golden
follows with a far more substantial piece, and a different variety of
vampire, a coming of age story like you’ve never read before. Bill
Crider contributes a humorous take on the teenaged undead in “I Was a
Teenage Vampire”, followed by Kelley Armstrong’s “Twilight”, which was
a bit too long for its story.
Jim Butcher has a very long Harry Dresden story, in which his quest to
find a missing vampire on his birthday turns into a mystery and near
disaster. I thought this one was better than some of the Dresden
novels, avoiding some of the formulaic aspects of that series. P.N.
Elrod provides a pretty good short adventure of her popular vampire
hero, Jack Fleming, and Rachel Caine draws on her new Morganville
Vampire series for her contribution. Jeanne Stein, author of a couple
of vampire novels, has one of the better stories with "The Witch and
the Wicked", wherein a witch caters a vampire birthday party,
incinerates the host, and ends up with his consciousness inhabiting her
body. Tanya Huff also has an above average story, "Blood Wrapped",
featuring her undead romance novelist.
Carolyn Haines adds a well written, tragic, but relatively slight
story, and Tate Hallaway follows up with a romantic interlude. Elaine
Viets' "Vampire Hours" is an interesting, semi-mystery involving murder
and a nicely nasty bit of revenge. Last up is co-editor Kelner's "How
Stella Got Her Grave Back", the best title in the collection. It opens
with a nice image, a vampire visiting her grave on her birthday.
There's a good deal of humor in this one; vampires are apparently fond
of practical jokes. It's a clever story, but about as far from
horrific as you can get and still have vampires. 5/9/07
LIBRARY JOURNAL
Many Bloody Returns: Tales of Birthdays with Bite.
Ace: Berkley, dist. by Penguin Group (USA).
Sept. 2007. c.368p.
ed. by Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner.
ISBN 978-0-441-01522-1.
$24.95. FANTASY
In this anthology, 13 talented writers have found clever ways to intertwine two seemingly disparate themes, vampires and birthdays. Christopher Golden's "The Mournful Cry of Owls" tells of a mother who, on her daughter's birthday, must explain the strange truth of the girl's ancestry. In Kelley Armstrong's mesmerizing "Twilight," the rebirth date of the vampire Cassandra has arrived. Now she has one unpleasant task to perform. And in "Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two," Tate Halloway writes a funny, romantic piece about the vampire Sebastian reluctantly celebrating his birthday, although he believes it cursed. Some stories are better than others, but all are entertaining and worth reading. This excellent collection will appeal to the growing legion of paranormal fans. Recommended for public libraries.—Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com , Columbia, MD
AMAZON.COM
These thirteen new vampire tales focus on the theme of birthdays (and many happy returns). Although the theme is incredibly narrow and restrictive, the contributors provide fresh interesting tales with no losers and star some of the more famous series characters; this the collection serves as a great introduction (albeit limited) to heroes of the supernatural. The most innovative entry is “Twilight” by Kelley Armstrong in which she insists a vampire’s birthday is the day they convert as that is a rebirthing. The rest of the stories make for a fun compilation with the lively authors being superstars in the undead realm such as Jim Butcher (with Harry), P.N. Elrod (with Fleming), and Charlaine Harris (with Sookie), etc. Still singing happy birthday thirteen times even too many series favorites can become a bit long in the tooth and difficult to blow out the zillion candles for some of the recipients; this reviewer suggests leisurely enjoying the anthology over a few weeks.
Harriet Klausner
ROMANTIC TIMES
MANY BLOODY RETURNS
4 1/2 stars (Out of 4 stars, which makes this "FANTASTIC--Keeper")
In this highly readable and memorable anthology, 13 top fantasy writers tackle the subject of vampires and birthdays. This is a must-buy book for genre fans, and a fantastic introduction for new readers to some of the best-known writers in the field, including Harris, Jim Butcher, Tanya Huff, Kelley Armstrong, and P.N. Elrod.
SUMMARY: Thirteen authors have 13 very different takes on birthdays and vampires. Highlights include Harris' "Dracula Night," in which Sookie Stackhouse finds herself the only human in attendance at Dracula's birthday party; Elrod's Jack Flming striking a blow for honest mediums everywhere in "Grave-Robbed,; and Butcher's "It's My Birthday Too," where Harry Dresden finds himself in a sururban mall with a bunch of live-action role players and a few vampires out for revenge--and blood.
Natalie A. Luhrs
DARQUE REVIEWS
Many Bloody Returns (Anthology)
Tales of Birthdays with Bite
Edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner
ACE – The Berkley Publishing Group
September 4, 2007
ISBN# 978-0-441-01522-1
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris shares a tense night at Fangtasia as Sookie Stackhouse and her supernatural friends celebrate with a birthday bash for Dracula.
The Mournful Cry of Owls by Christopher Golden is Donika’s sixteenth birthday and a night for revealing a past secret that leads to a surprising future.
I Was a Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider tells the tale of how Carlton’s young life changed the night of his sister’s birthday party.
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong takes Cassandra DuCharme on the yearly hunt she needs to extend her vampiric life.
It’s My Birthday Too by Jim Butcher follows Harry Dresden and his assistant to deliver a birthday present when things turn dark and dangerous.
Grave Robbed by P. N. Elrod has PI Jack Flemming intervening when a woman is desperate to contact her deceased husband and the séance appears to be a con.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine is Eve’s eighteenth birthday in Morganville, and the night she’s expected to sign away her future.
The Witch and the Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein brings Sophie to the Deveraux home where she caters a vampire’s birthday filled with surprises.
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff has Henry on the hunt for Vicki’s birthday present when he’s influenced to do a good deed.
The Wish by Carolyn Haines shares Sandra’s forty-third birthday and the painful tale that leads her to live and die on her own terms.
Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway celebrates Sebastian’s birthday with more surprises than Garnet had planned for the evening.
Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets is Katherine’s birthday to face the reality of her current life and make the decision to have the future she dreams of.
How Stella Got Her Grave Back by Toni L. P. Kelner travels along with Stella and Mark as they set out to solve the mystery of a Jane Doe.
Many Bloody Returns is a carefully crafted anthology that envelopes readers in the dark and often humorous world of the paranormal. A fabulously fun visit with the characters, both old and new, of some of the best paranormal fiction authors in print today.
Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews
MANY BLOODY RETURNS: Tales of Birthdays with Bite – Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner, Editors
Ace (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-441-01522-1
September 2007
Anthology – Paranormal Fiction
I don’t know about the rest of you in reader land, but I’ve always had a fascination for vampires and other things that go bump in the night. Imagine my delight when I received an anthology about one of my favorite subjects – vampires. To make things even better, some of my very favorite authors are included in this anthology. Well, vampires, birthdays, and my favorite authors combined were guaranteed to make this a great read for me, but an unexpected bonus is that I was able to read short stories by authors I’ve long considered trying – such as Jim Butcher. Come along with me and get a glimpse of some of the dark, sexy and sometimes deadly creatures created by thirteen outstanding authors.
Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris takes place in the world of Sookie Stackhouse. In this little vignette, it’s Dracula’s birthday -- yes the original vampire -- and Eric Northman the big, bad and scary Viking vampire and one time lover of Sookie is throwing a birthday bash to end all bashes -- all with the hope that Dracula will show up. Eric is like a kid at Christmas, and his eager enthusiasm has Sookie a little worried. Dracula Night is classic Harris -- with all the angst, humor and…dare I say… blood her fans have come to love.
The Mournful Cry of the Owls is a tale brought to us by Chris Golden and is eerily entertaining. A little strange but completely fascinating tale of a young woman’s coming of age -- and the truth about herself that she is soon to learn. Readers are sure to want to read more from this author.
Told in the first person, I Was a Teenaged Vampire is a well written, if rather pointless tale by Bill Crider. It tells the story of how one young man’s quest to grant his sister’s birthday wish (so she won’t beat him up) changes his life in ways he could never have imagined.
Twilight by Kelley Armstrong takes place in the world of her Women of the Other World series and features the vampire Cassandra and the anniversary, or birthday, of her death and new life as a vampire. A somewhat sad tale that will have readers wondering what the future holds for Cassandra, Twilight is one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
From well know author Jim Butcher, we have a tale from the Dresden Files featuring the wizard Harry and his vampire brother Thomas. In It’s My Birthday Too, it’s Thomas’s birthday, and Harry has to track him down to give him his gift. Unfortunately, he finds more than just Thomas at the mall -- he finds a crazed vampire and a store full of innocent young people who need protection. Wow! This was an amazing little story that has made me decide I definitely want to read Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series -- now if I can only find the time!
In Grave-Robbed by P.N. Elrod, vampire Jack Flemming comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress, or the damsel’s sister at any rate. Jack is determined to stop the charlatan medium from tormenting the young widow -- and from robbing any more graves. A fast and short story set in the late 1930s, Grave Robbed is an entertaining piece of fiction.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by author Rachel Caine is the story of how Eve Rosser celebrates her eighteenth birthday and declares herself emancipated from the vampire protector of her family. Unfortunately, now she is just fresh meat and fair game for any vampire who can catch her. A terrific short story that is sure to wet readers' appetites for the other books by Ms. Caine -- I know I’ll be looking for them!
The Witch and the Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein is a very different tale about Sophie, a caterer who is also a witch. Sophie’s decision to change careers after her latest client goes up in flames is understandable. But her decision to mix the ashes of a recently deceased vampire (the candles on his birthday cake, made by Sophie, lit him up like a Christmas tree) in her face creams does more than just make her look twenty years younger. This tale could also be called “Be Careful What You Wish For.”
Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff is the tale of a wizard and vampire who are experts at finding missing people. When a little girl is abducted from her yard, Henry and Tony are determined to find and save her before harm befalls her. A suspenseful tale by a very talented author.
The Wish by Carolyn Haines is the tale of one woman’s tragic loss and her battle with the spectra of death. After years of wishing for death, Sandra has changed her mind. Death has visited Sandra before with tragic consequences -- now Sandra is determined that her fate will not be decided for her -- she alone will determine her fate. A truly remarkable tale, The Wish will leave you wiping away a tear or two.
Fire, Ice and Linguini for Two by Tate Hallaway brings readers a brief glimpse into the lives of Garnet Lacey and Sebastian Von Traum, from the Garnet Lacey series. It’s Sebastian’s birthday, and even though Sebastian believes his birthday is a curse, Christmas Day, Garnet is determined to prove him wrong. Unfortunately, after their car breaks down on the highway and a storm blows in, Garnet and Sebastian find themselves in the clutches of a nasty weather demon. A fun and humorous tale with an edge of darkness, this little story is a treat.
In Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets, a woman, Katherine, knows that her marriage is over. But she doesn’t want to face it. If she confronts Eric about the affairs she knows he’s been having, she is afraid he’ll divorce her and she’ll end up like so many of her friends. With no skills and little education, she fears she’ll never make it on her own. But sometimes, a woman has no choice, and when a tall, dark and handsome stranger offers Katherine the gift of immortality and the opportunity for vengeance -- what do you think she will do? They say a woman scorned is a deadly enemy -- if that woman happens to also be a vampire, tarts and faithless husbands beware.
How Stella Got Her Grave Back by Toni L.P. Kelner is an intriguing tale about a woman searching for...well, her grave. But it’s more than that. Stella left home a vampire when she was eighteen years old and she’s never been back. But this year, for her birthday, she wants to visit her hometown and her grave. Imagine Stella’s surprise when she finds that her marker is missing and a Jane Doe is buried in her place. Stella and her vampire lover, Mark, decide to find out if they can discover the identity of the Jane Doe and have her removed from Stella’s grave. Stella wants her grave back, but she also wants to help Jane Doe get home. An intriguing tale by an author who is new to me, I enjoyed this short story very much and will be looking forward to reading more from Toni L.P. Kelner.
Thirteen tales, each with a birthday and vampire theme, MANY BLOODY RETURNS is an anthology no paranormal fan should miss. From the sad and poignant The Wish to the truly bizarre The Mournful Cry of Owls, each story is entertaining and engaging. Whether you’ve read these authors in the past, or they are new to you, I guarantee that this anthology is the perfect book to read while contemplating your “to be read pile,” Who knows, you may be just as inspired to search out new authors as I am.
Terrie Figueroa
